Elder Uchtdorf Reunites with Saints in Hong Kong and Thailand

In mid-November 2024, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles ministered to members and missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Hong Kong and Bangkok. He was accompanied by his wife Sister Harriet Uchtdorf and Elder José A. Teixeira of the Presidency of the Seventy. Through a series of devotionals and leadership conferences, he taught inspiring messages centered on giving, becoming a successful missionary, and rejoicing in the gospel.

Hong Kong

Having flown to Hong Kong numerous times throughout his career as a pilot, Elder Uchtdorf has a deep appreciation for the city and its people. His fondest memory is the unchanging kindness of its residents, as evidenced by the Giving Machines charity initiative that he launched at the New Town Plaza on November 15. This campaign, which benefits five local charitable organizations, marked a new milestone for the Church’s community engagement in Hong Kong, elevating the spirit of Christlike love and compassion among its residents.

“We don’t give because we think we are rich or we have the truth, but… we give because we express our gratitude. For instance, express gratitude for having the gospel of Jesus Christ by sharing it with someone else,” said Elder Uchtdorf at a special meeting with members later that evening. “This came to my mind when we had the occasion this morning, that by giving, we’re actually giving thanks.”

Donald Chu, a young single adult from the Hong Kong China New Territories Stake, who attended the meeting said, “During this devotional, the most important thing I've learned is how we can share the love of God with everyone around us. As members of the Church…we all have the responsibility to share God’s love and help them come to know about the gospel.”

With the Church in Hong Kong marking its 75^th anniversary this year, Elder Uchtdorf said, “We talk very often about you among the Twelve and the First Presidency because you are at a very special place in this world. Very many things depend on who you are and what you are doing. It might not so appear at the moment, but you will see the future will have great impact because of you, and it’s the daily small little things which will make all the difference.”

Bangkok

In Bangkok, Elder Uchtdorf witnessed the great strides the Church had made since his 2022 ministry visit. On November 19, he arrived at the Bangkok Thailand Temple after it was dedicated the year before, and held a meeting at the annex building with the Thailand Bangkok East and West Missions.

One of the missionaries in attendance, Sister Nattita Wongsrila from the Bangkok East Mission shared, “I'm so glad and grateful that both missions came together in this meeting today. It helps me see how [the Church in] Thailand has grown much more.”

“Elder Uchtdorf shared about how to be a successful missionary, and about several aspects of missionary's concerns, like, family, language, and how [the Lord] helps us in those aspects,” said Elder Saran Lattaponpakorn from the Bangkok West Mission.

The morning of November 22 brought a sweet reunion between Elder Uchtdorf and Sister Louise Horgan, director of the Fatima Self-Help Center at the Good Shepherd Sisters Bangkok. On his previous visit, they were introduced and connected immediately over their shared values of spirituality and service.

“It was just like meeting a dear old friend,” said Sister Horgan of the reunion. “But today it was more than that – there were people, even though I hadn’t met them before, I was really touched by each one…So it was very precious time for us, feeling like meeting God in each one of them.”

Elder Uchtdorf presented Sister Horgan with another donation from the Church for much-needed roof repairs and awning installations to improve the facilities of the center. The center supports the learning of at-risk women and children to become more self-reliant. This marked the third collaboration between the Church and the center after providing a teaching kitchen and dining area for the women in 2022.

Sister Horgan reflected, “From the time that they visited first until now, they have done a lot for us…Help started already before they even came, it was like a miracle! I said it’s only somebody who is so dedicated and…close to Christ who could do that for us.”

Elder Uchtdorf also had the opportunity to introduce Sister Horgan to his wife and gifted her with a Christus statue, a replica of the one she had visited at the Bangkok Thailand Temple open house tour. This round, she too brought them on a tour of her compound, but with an unexpected surprise: “He took me around by the hand like a child, you know, just like daddy and daughter… I haven’t experienced anything so beautiful in a long time,” she reminisced.

Capping off his ministry tours in Hong Kong and Bangkok by meeting with local leaders, Elder Uchtdorf strengthened and encouraged the growing Church in Asia. He reflected, “Thailand and all the Asian countries are filled with treasures — with spiritual, emotional, personal treasures of their souls...The Lord gives us these as we commit to keep His commandments…They are the treasures…So it is a joyful moment to be here.”